((Bonjour mes amis! I hope this finds you all well… It might be obvious that this chapter isn't as long as the others. I thought you could use a break from my usual endless drivel. A big "Merci!" to all my reviewers for being so kind, I really appreciate it. Tay-kun, as you see your question about Marius referring to Valjean by his real name is answered in this question. As for Grantaire/Eponine…well you'll just have to see won't you? And to LesMisLoony, I am apologizing in advance for the grammar errors. As well as the fish out of water. Ahah…Anyway. I hope you all enjoy!

Shammy))

"Who?" Eponine looked as puzzled as Marius did distraught. At this he seemed to grow even more panicked, and if possible, more pallid then before.

"What's that monsieur?" One of the guests asked. He was a well-dressed man with a calculating stare. "Who's died?"

"M- Monsieur Fauchelevent…" Marius stuttered, realizing his mistake. He stepped back from the gathering crowd of guests, all of which were now whispering to one another. He felt a steady hand on his arm and turned his head to see Grantaire with a stern look on his face.

Eponine was startled; standing by Marius, she hadn't even seen the other rise from his chair in the corner.

"Marius," Grantaire said quietly, "Go to Cosette…I'll take care of the mob." With a single moment of hesitance and a grateful half smile, Marius rushed up the stairs to his wife's door. Even in the moment of tragedy, the word 'wife' warmed him.

He could hear her sobbing on the other side of the wooden barrier, and knocked upon it softly. This was answered only by sobs.

Carefully, Marius turned the handle and stepped inside the room, shutting the door behind him. He saw her seated on the bed, knees drawn beneath her, shivering and crying into pale hands. The skirts of her wedding dress spread out making her look like something of an angel surrounded by clouds. For him, it was a heartbreaking sight.

Rushing to her side, he sat on the bed as she clutched him, now sobbing into his shoulder.

"Shh…it's alright Cosette…it's alright…" Though it very well may not have been, it was all he could think to say.

They stayed like this for nearly an hour, her thin frame trembling with grief, and his holding hers, consoling her. After awhile this became half minded as Marius suddenly had many things to think about.

The man who he had treated so cruelly, who he had quietly tried to sweep out of Cosette's mind, the man he'd essentially banished from his home… Had turned out to be his saviour. Marius owed him his life, his joy and his future…

A great amount of guilt swelled within him, a poisonous aching of the soul. How was he to have known that Valjean, while being a convict, had truly been a saint? He had been a diamond in the rough, and now he was among the stars.

Had Marius been aware of the man's noble deeds, the last days of Valjean would have been happier ones. In fact, they might not have even been his last. The elderly man could have lived on much longer with Cosette by his side, sustained by joy and kindness.

The youth was considerably upset right now, feeling like somewhat of a wretch.

Cosette's sobs had quieted as she held herself to him now. Her eyes were dry of tears, but only because it seemed she had no more to cry. There was pain of course, but there was a realization that some things were to be dealt with in silence.

"Marius?" Both husband and wife looked at the bedroom door as if to see the person who was speaking behind it. Most assuredly it happened to be Grantaire. Rising from the bed and giving Cosette's hand a comforting squeeze, Marius went to the door and stepped outside the bedroom.

"How is it downstairs?" He asked softly. Upon listening, it seemed very quiet for a house filled with people.

"Most have gone home. It's been explained one way or another…"

"Most?"

"Well I'm still here…as is Eponine. There's a bit of a storm outside now, so we were going to ask if we could stay until it dies down?" Marius nodded.

"Of course…stay the night in the guest rooms if you need to."

"Are you sure?" The drunkard raised an eyebrow. "It is your wedding night after all." Marius frowned gently, nodding once again.

"It is…but we're going to have to postpone the wedding night I think."

"Postpone?" Was that even possible? To postpone ones' wedding night? The other youth now grew quite sad looking. Guilt was boiling within him again.

"Yes Grantaire…there is a funeral to attend now."